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PBI-Colombia accompanied Peace Community co-founder José Roviro Lopez to speak at #NoWar2022 conference

By
Brent Patterson
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World Beyond War will be holding their #NoWar2022: Resistance & Regeneration virtual global conference this coming July 8-10.

World Beyond War notes: “Hosted virtually through the Zoom Events platform, #NoWar2022 will facilitate international solidarity by bringing together speakers and attendees from around the world. #NoWar2022 will highlight unique stories of change-making, both big and small, around the world, that challenge the structural causes of war & militarism while, at the same time, concretely creating an alternative system based on a just and sustainable peace.”

On Sunday July 10 at 12:30 pm ET, there will be a panel called: “Resisting & Regenerating in the Aftermath of War, Sanctions, & Violent Conflict.”

José Roviro Lopez will be a speaker on that panel.

He is one of the founding members of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, which has been accompanied by PBI-Colombia since 1999.

As noted on the World Beyond War website:

“25 years ago, on March 23 of 1997, a group of peasants from different villages who wanted no part in the armed conflict that was plaguing their region, signed the declaration that identified them as the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó.

Instead of joining the thousands of displaced people in the country, this peasant population created a pioneering initiative in Colombia: a community that declared itself neutral in the face of the armed conflict and rejected the presence of all armed groups in its territory.

Despite declaring themselves an outside party to the armed conflict and promoting their vision of non-violence, since its creation the Peace Community has been the target of countless attacks, including forced displacements, hundreds of sexual abuses, assassinations and massacres.

The Peace Community wants to be an example of what its founding members call a “humanizing alternative”. The same notion inspires the way the Peace Community understands the importance of community work as an alternative to the dominant capitalist economic model.

For the Peace Community, the desire to live in peace is closely linked to the right to life and land. José is part of the Internal Council, which supervises the respect for the principles and rules of the community and coordinates daily tasks.

The Internal Council highlights the importance of education, both to strengthen their capacities as farmers and sustainable agricultural producers, and to teach young people about the history of the Peace Community and its resistance.”

Still from the film Chocolate of Peace.

To view the schedule for #NoWar2022, get tickets and more information, click here.

PBI-Mexico meets with the State Human Rights Commission in Michoacán to promote the protection of human rights defenders

By
Brent Patterson
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On June 22, Quadritin reported:

“The State Human Rights Commission (CEDH) in Michoacán and Peace Brigades International (PBI), held a meeting to strengthen ties of institutional support in actions of promotion and diffusion, that allow to contribute to generate a culture of peace in Michoacán.

Through a statement it was reported that in this approach with the Michoacan Ombudsperson, information was provided on the actions to promote peace and protection of human rights defenders by the international, non-governmental organization.

Similarly, on the part of the CEDH, the guiding axes and the 13 human rights agendas were presented, on which the Institutional Plan focuses, which encompasses the groups in a situation of priority attention; and, from which institutional links for the protection and defense of human rights are strengthened.”

The full article in Quadratin can be read at Buscan CEDH Michoacán y Brigadas Internacionales promover acciones de paz.

PBI-Mexico amplifies No to Mining Front statement in opposition to the actions of Canadian mining company Fortuna Silver in Oaxaca

By
Brent Patterson
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On June 23, PBI-Mexico tweeted this excerpt of a statement from the No to Mining Front for a Future of All in opposition to the action of Vancouver-based Fortuna Silver Mines and its subsidiary Cuzcatlán in Oaxaca, Mexico:

“These actions of the company constitute a serious crime against the communities, since they are carrying out actions against the decisions that were already taken by our previous assemblies”, warns Frente NO to mining

The statement from the No to Mining Front highlights:

“Over the past few years, we have fought hard to get him out of our territories and our homes. Through different institutional channels we notified our decision directly to the mining company, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources: Compañía minera Cuzcatlán and Fortuna Silver Mines does not have the consent of our communities to operate in our territories!

In the last two weeks, the mining company has clandestinely broken into the territories of Magdalena Ocotlán, Monte del Toro and San Martín de los Cansecos offering citizens homes and houses, flouting the decision of our assemblies expressed in our declarations of prohibited territory for mining and violating our right to self-determination and community peace.

These actions of the company constitute a serious crime against the communities, since they are carrying out actions against the decisions that were already taken by our previous assemblies. It is important to note that these assemblies with their respective minutes are legally binding by the municipal and agrarian route, so that the arrival of workers of the mining company without our consent is a clear violation of our internal regulatory systems.”

It further notes:

“In the event that Minera Cuzcatlán continues to flout our decisions and continues to enter our communities without our permission, the No to Mining Front, made up of 14 Zapotec communities of the Central Valleys, will take the necessary measures in order to put an energetic stop to its illegal action. If the federal government does not intervene, we will guarantee our right to self-determination, territory, a healthy environment and community peace.”

Their full statement can be read in Spanish at El Frente NO a la Minería condena la entrada clandestina de trabajadores de minera Cuzcatlán a nuestras comunidades.

Background

In March 2009, residents protested the lack of consultation and consent for the mine by setting up an encampment at the site of the mine. By May of that year, 1,000 state and federal police evicted that encampment using helicopters, tear gas and dogs.

The mine began operating in September 2011.

El Universal reports there have been four deaths and eight people shot in direct relation to the mine between 2010 and 2012.

Community leader Bernardo Méndez was killed on January 18, 2012, after he and others confronted a municipal crew working on a water pipeline they suspected would divert water for use at the mine. And Bernardo Vásquez was killed on March 15, 2012, as he travelled back home from the Oaxaca airport.

The permit for it expired on October 23, 2021.

A new permit was granted to Fortuna/Cuzcatlan on December 14, 2021.

We continue to follow this situation.

PBI-Mexico accompanies meeting of Indigenous Communities of the Sierra Tarahumara in Coloradas de la Virgen

By
Brent Patterson
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On June 22, PBI-Mexico tweeted:

“PBI-Mexico was present at the meeting of Indigenous Communities of the #SierraTarahumara in Coloradas de la Virgen, where community representatives of @DefensaTarahum [the Network in Defense of Indigenous Territories of the #SierraTarahumara] exchanged experiences on the defense of the territory and submitted petitions to the @CEDHChihuahua [the State Human Rights Commission of Chihuahua].”

It also tweeted:

“From @PBI_Mexico we express concern about the high rates of violence faced by the indigenous communities of the Sierra Tarahumara in #Chihuahua and we call for the human rights of the mountain communities to be guaranteed.”

“During the meeting, community experiences on the defense of the territory were exchanged between the highland communities of Chihuahua and a Purépecha representative of the Cherán people in #Michoacán.”

On Facebook, PBI-Mexico also explained:

“On June 12 and 13, the meeting of Indigenous Communities was held in Coloradas de la Virgen, municipality of Guadalupe and Calvo, organized by the Network in Defense of Indigenous Territories of the Sierra Tarahumara and representatives of a dozen communities from the #SierraTarahumara.

Community experiences about the defense of the territory and natural resources were exchanged together with a representative Purépecha from the Cherán people in #Michoacán and petitions were raised to the State Human Rights Commission – CEDH Chihuahua.

Coloradas de la Virgin is a paradigmatic case of the violations to #human rights suffered by those who defend the forest and territory in the Sierra. Hundreds of people have been displaced, while harassment and killings persist. More on that here.

From PBI Mexico we express concern about the high rates of violence faced by the indigenous communities of the Sierra Tarahumara in #Chihuahua and we call for the guarantee of human rights in the Sierra Tarahumara.”

 

What could be ahead for Canada-Colombia relations following the election of Gustavo Petro?

By
Brent Patterson
-

Photo: Gustavo Petro and Francia Marquez on election night.

On June 19, Gustavo Petro was elected the next president of Colombia.

Petro and his vice-presidential running mate Francia Marquez, an Afro-Colombian lawyer and environmental defender, will be sworn into office on August 7.

The day after the election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: “Congratulations to @PetroGustavo, the President-elect of Colombia; and to @FranciaMarquezM, the Vice President-elect and the first Afro-Colombian to take on the role. I’m looking forward to working with you both on priorities like democracy, gender equality, and climate action.”

What are some of the possible implications for Canada-Colombia relations?

The Canada-Colombia free trade agreement

While the free trade agreement between Canada and Colombia (that came into force on August 15, 2011) may not have appeared in recent news articles, there are numerous references to concerns about Colombia’s free trade agreement with the United States.

NPR has reported: “[Petro] wants to make changes to Colombia’s relations with the United States by seeking a renegotiation of a free trade agreement.”

The Associated Press adds that Petro blames the free trade agreement with the U.S. “for impoverishing Colombian farmers.”

That article further explains: “His campaign platform calls for the creation of “smart tariffs” to protect Colombia’s countryside from agricultural imports allowed under a decade old free trade agreement with the U.S.”

Earlier this year, Yessika Hoyos Morales with the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers’ Collective (CCAJAR) told an audience in Canada:

“Colombia and Canada have signed a free trade agreement and before that free trade agreement was signed Colombia established concrete commitments which included the respect of human rights, and a reduction in impunity, a responding to previous violations that have taken place. These commitments have not been fulfilled and so I think it’s very important to note that this lack of action, this non-fulfillment, is sending a very clear message. This clear message is that business and money are more important than human lives. And so, it’s extremely important for you all to remind your government that they do have obligations, that commitments have been made that have not been fulfilled and that in the end people’s lives are more important than money.”

It is conceivable that a renegotiation of the Canada-Colombia FTA could be on Petro’s agenda.

Oil and gas

With $8 billion invest in Colombia, it is the second largest location for Canadian Energy Assets Abroad (CEAA). Twenty-eight Canadian mining companies also hold assets totalling $1.406 billion in Colombia

The Wilson Center has noted: “Petro advocates a dramatic transition away from oil and coal production, which constitute the majority of Colombia’s exports and where U.S. firms play a significant role.”

Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo reporting from Bogota has also highlighted: “Petro said that this is going to be a government of peace, and that in this country peace means social justice, environmental justice. He has been talking about rethinking oil and gas exploitation, putting an end to fracking and he has pledged not to use his powers to ‘destroy opponents’.”

Toronto-based Scotiabank has provided more than $3 billion in financing to the state-owned oil company Ecopetrol, the company that would operate the planned Platero and Kale fracking pilot projects in Puerto Wilches.

Reuters has previously reported: “Some in the industry believe Petro will not be able to slow their operations anytime soon, since the government of current President Ivan Duque has signed 69 exploration and production contracts during bidding rounds.”

Significantly, of those 69 oil and gas exploration contracts that were awarded between 2019 and 2021 by the Duque government, 39 went to Canadian companies (and 26 of those 39 blocks went to Calgary-based Parex Resources Inc.).

The day following the election, the stock price of Parex Resources dropped by 9.35 per cent. The Colombian newsmagazine Semana also reported that the stock price for Calgary-based Canacol Energy Ltd. had dropped by 7 per cent.

It is conceivable that the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms in the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement could be invoked to protect these investments.

Venezuela

In February 2019, Prime Minister Trudeau stated: “The time for democratic transition in Venezuela is now. The international community must immediately unite behind the interim President seeking to restore democracy in the country.”

Furthermore, the read-outs from the meetings between Trudeau and Colombian president Ivan Duque on July 31, 2020, May 11, 2020, January 26, 2019, and September 25, 2018 all make reference to “the crisis in Venezuela”, but not human rights violations in Colombia.

In contrast, NPR has reported: “Petro is willing to resume diplomatic relations with Venezuela, which were halted in 2019.”

Infodefensa.com has reported: “[On] May 19, the Colombian Government, through the Ministry of Defense, approved the purchase of 50 General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) 8×8 LAV III DVH armored vehicles.”

The article adds: “The LAV III DVH is manufactured by the Canadian subsidiary of General Dynamics Land Systems.”

It’s not the first time Canada has sold light armoured vehicles (LAVs) to Colombia.

In January 2013, GDLS-Canada announced: “The Colombian Ministry of National Defence has awarded a USD $65.3 million contract to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada for 24 Light Armoured Vehicles for the Colombian Army.”

In January 2015, ArmyRecognition.com noted: “The LAV III will go to the Colombian Army Combined Medium Arms Task Force, an army unit based in the town of Distracción, Guajira department, on the border with Venezuela.”

The next 100 days and beyond

We will be watching over the coming 100 days and beyond how Petro’s campaign promises and the responses from Canada, transnational corporations and other interests materially affect the security situation for environmental defenders in Colombia.

For more: Colombia Elects 1st Leftist President Gustavo Petro & 1st Black VP Francia Márquez. Can They Deliver?, Democracy Now! and One more nail in the coffin of Trudeau’s Latin American strategy by Yves Engler, Canadian Dimension magazine.

Land defenders and the COP15 biodiversity summit in Montreal, December 5-17

By
Brent Patterson
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A Black Hawk helicopter flies over Tinigua National Park in Colombia. Photo from How Colombia’s deforestation campaign is targeting subsistence farmers.

The Guardian reports: “Ahead of the latest round of negotiations in Nairobi this week [June 21 to 26], the UN convention on biological diversity confirmed that the Cop15 biodiversity conference will now take place in Montreal, Canada, from 5 to 17 December.”

The BBC also reports: “The talks are aimed at setting global policy for the next decade.”

That article adds: “The outcome will decide how the world will address the challenges of reducing the extinction risk threatening more than one million species, protecting 30% of land and sea, eliminating billions of dollars of environmentally-damaging government subsidies and restoring degraded ecosystems.”

Biodiversity and environmental human rights defenders

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has stated: “Biodiversity loss, pollution and the climate crisis constitute some of humanity’s gravest challenges, contributing both directly and indirectly to human rights violations around the world. To effectively address the drivers of biodiversity loss, we must take concrete steps [including] to protect environmental human rights defenders from harm.”

But an initiative being discussed at COP15 could put Indigenous communities, environmental human rights defenders and others at further risk.

The 30×30 target and militarized conservation

Agence France-Presse now notes: “A central pillar of the planned nature pact [that could be finalized at the Montreal summit] is to conserve at least 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030.”

Reuters adds: “Already, more than 90 countries, including the United States [Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and Kenya] have committed to the 30-by-30 target, according to the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People.”

But Mongabay has explained: “Some Indigenous advocates and their allies have sharply criticized the plan, saying it takes the wrong approach to conservation and, if implemented poorly, could result in millions of people being evicted from their ancestral territories.”

According to Survival International, an organization campaigning for Indigenous rights, 30×30 would be the biggest land grab in history.

Sophie Grig of Survival International says: “Up to 300 million people could be directly displaced and dispossessed. Many will be Indigenous people, who have protected their lands for millennia. Those who have done the least to damage the environment, stand to lose the most. Because they rely on their lands for survival – eviction from these will be completely devastating for them.”

Margot Lurie has also warned: “Millions of people have been dispossessed in the name of conservation. 30×30 threatens to dispossess many more.”

And in August 2021, 49 organizations stated: “While protecting at least 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030 is on its face a worthy goal of responding to biodiversity loss, the Framework’s focus on ‘protected areas’ will likely continue to lead to human rights abuses across the globe.”

One of the signatories, the Swift Foundation, says: “How it’s working right now is a militarized form of conservation. You have guards with guns, people imposing fines, building fences and kicking people out of their traditional lands. And if communities react in defense they are perceived as anti-conservation.”

This letter from April 2021 also notes among its principal concerns about 30×30 that: “Protected areas have led to displacement and eviction of Indigenous Peoples and other land-dependent communities and brought serious human rights abuses by conservation organizations and enforcement agencies.”

The 249 signatories to the letter include the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), ProDESC (Mexico), CENSAT Agua Viva (Colombia), Community Land Action Now (Kenya), Amnesty International (UK), the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-net), Corporate Europe Observatory (Belgium), FIAN International (Germany), and David Suzuki (Canada).

We continue to follow this.

PBI-Guatemala accompanies the CCR at meeting with the Governor of Retalhuleu about the situation in the village of Los Pajales

By
Brent Patterson
-

On June 21, PBI-Guatemala posted:

“PBI accompanies the CCR in its meeting with the Governor of Retalhuleu about the situation in the Pajales community.”

PBI-Guatemala accompanies Anabella España Reyes, Abelino Salvador Mejía, Flabio Vicente and Virgilio García Carrillo, criminalized water defenders on the Southern Coast of Guatemala who are part of the Council of Communities of Retalhuleu (CCR) and who have as a key demand the right to water.

Los Pajales is a village in the department of Retalhuleu.

On March 13, Abelino spoke on a PBI-Canada organized webinar about this situation.

You can hear his introductory comments translated into English below:

 

Anabella, Abelino, Flabio and Virgilio began to organize in 2015 because of the adverse effects caused by the expansion of the monoculture of sugar and the use of large-scale agrochemicals and pesticides used by the mills in the region.

Notably, Canada is the largest importer of Guatemalan sugar.

They have been criminalized as a result of their activism.

On April 25, PBI-Guatemala posted:

“PBI accompanies the members of the Council of Communities of Retalhuleu in an intermediate stage hearing. This criminalization process for defending access to water began more than 4 years ago and has seen 14 suspensions of hearings in progress. Sugar mills monopolize water through the extraction and diversion of rivers to irrigate their monocultures, leaving the surrounding communities without water.”

PBI-Guatemala began accompanying the Retalhuleu Community Council in April 2020.

PBI-Colombia highlights lack of adequate progress in the investigations into state violence during the national strike

By
Brent Patterson
-

On June 21, PBI-Colombia tweeted:

“#HRC50 Human Rights Council @UN_HRC @pbigeneva before the Office of the Special Rapporteur #ProtestaSocial: No progress is being made on investigations into abuses committed by state actors #ParoNacional2021 increase in prosecutions of young people and attacks against those who represent them such as @nydia_erika @CSPP_”

On June 20, Kim-Mai Vu of Peace Brigades International presented an Oral Statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association Clement Voule at the United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Switzerland.

Vu stated:

“In Colombia, while the investigations into the abuses perpetrated by state and para-state actors in the context of the National Strike (accused of human rights violations during the protests, including homicides, sexual violence, eye injuries and forced disappearances) lack adequate progress, the prosecutions of young protesters from the “front lines” are increasing. Likewise, threats and aggressions against those who represent them persist, such as the recent very serious case of a break-in and theft of information against the organisation of victims of forced disappearances – Nydia Erika Bautista Foundation (FNEB) and the threats in recent months against members of the Committee in Solidarity with Political Prisoners (CSPP).”

The video of Vu’s presentation can be seen here (starting at 08:59).

Canada on Colombian police violence

On May 9, 2021, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs stated: “We welcome the Government of Colombia’s commitment to fully investigate and hold accountable those who may be guilty of violating human rights during these events.”

Then on July 14, 2021, the Minister “called on Colombia to keep its commitment to fully investigate and hold anyone who has violated human rights to account for their actions.”

On May 16 of this year, Canadian Ambassador Marianick Tremblay met with victims of police violence in Cali along with the Association for Research and Social Action (NOMADESC) and PBI-Colombia.

At that time, NOMADESC tweeted: “Ambassador of @CanadaColombia meets with @nomadesc relatives and victims of the 2021 national strike. They show the responsibility of the Colombian State and impunity in atrocious acts. They request #police reform, human rights monitoring and no funding to the Public Force.”

On June 19, election night in Colombia, the mother of Dilan Cruz was welcomed onto the stage with Gustavo Petro and Francia Marquez.

Holding a framed photo of her son who was killed by Colombian police on November 25, 2019, Jenny Alejandra Medina said: “On behalf of my son Dilan, who was one more victim of this country, on behalf of all the victims, of the “false positives” — Nicolás Neira, Yuri Neira, Diego Felipe Becerra — and on behalf of all those victims of the government and previous ones, I raise my voice on behalf of my son to demand justice.”

PBI-Honduras accompanies COPINH at Supreme Court as co-author of murder of Berta Caceres sentenced to 22 years, 6 months

By
Brent Patterson
-

On June 20, PBI-Honduras tweeted:

“PBI accompanies @COPINHHONDURAS at the gates of the Court awaiting the reading of the sentence of David Castillo as co-author of the murder of #BertaCaceres.”

This morning, COPINH also tweeted:

“Today is the hearing for the Reading of the Sentence against David Castillo, co-author of the murder of Berta Cáceres. Accompany #COPINH in the sit-in and let’s all demand #JusticiaParaBerta.”

Later in the afternoon, COPINH tweeted:

“COPINH in front of the Supreme Court of Justice awaiting the Judgment for the co-author of the murder of the companion and sister Berta Cáceres. We reaffirm that the State of Honduras continues to be indebted to justice.”

Deutsche Welle has also reported:

“The reading of the sentence against Castillo was scheduled for June 17, however, the date was removed by the Sentencing Court with National Jurisdiction, the Public Ministry said in a statement. It added that Castillo, a former Honduran military officer found guilty in July 2021 as a co-author in Cáceres’ murder, will know the years he will have to spend in prison until June 20.”

And Prensa Comunitaria has noted:

“The Honduran justice system has delayed for 11 months the publication of the sentence against businessman Roberto David Castillo, who was convicted, on July 5, 2021, as a co-author of the murder of environmentalist and Lenca leader, Berta Cáceres. The Public Ministry asked for a sentence of 25 years in prison, Criterio reported in February 2022.”

Late this afternoon, it was reported that Castillo was sentenced to 22 years and 6 months in prison for his role in the murder of Caceres.

We continue to follow this.

PBI presents at the UN in Geneva on the right to peaceful assembly in Kenya, Honduras, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico

By
Brent Patterson
-

On June 20, Kim-Mai Vu of Peace Brigades International presented an Oral Statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

The video of her presentation can be seen here (starting at 08:59).

Her full statement notes:

“PBI welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the Protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests during crisis situations.

In Kenya, we deplore the killing of four protesters by the police in Masimba on 2 June. Moreover, during the Covid-19 crisis, Kenya has restricted peaceful assembly, exemplified by the numerous arrests of protestors, often under the guise of contravening Covid-19 rules, including the arrest of 63 people in one day. The conviction of 6 protestors from Mombasa is extremely worrying. We join the UN High Commissioner in hoping that Kenyans can freely exercise their rights during the upcoming elections, including the right to peaceful assembly.

In Honduras, we are concerned that the reform of the Penal Code of October 2021, which further intensifies the criminalisation of peaceful protest, remain in force. Despite some recent advances through the Amnesty Law, bureaucratic obstacles to access to justice persist for criminalised defenders, such as the Guapinol defenders. Furthermore, freedom of expression and association of the LGBTI+ community in Honduras continues to be limited by the multiple attacks that put their physical safety at risk.

In Colombia, while the investigations into the abuses perpetrated by state and para-state actors in the context of the National Strike (accused of human rights violations during the protests, including homicides, sexual violence, eye injuries and forced disappearances) lack adequate progress, the prosecutions of young protesters from the “front lines” are increasing. Likewise, threats and aggressions against those who represent them persist, such as the recent very serious case of a break-in and theft of information against the organisation of victims of forced disappearances – Nydia Erika Bautista Foundation (FNEB) and the threats in recent months against members of the Committee in Solidarity with Political Prisoners (CSPP).

In Guatemala, the ratification of the Decree 04-2020, the so-called NGO Law puts more than 1000 NGOs at risk, as it limits the scope of their possible activities and as introduces an administrative burden which is nearly impossible to comply with. Moreover, we have observed a sharp increase in violent evictions of peasant communities in Verapaz regions and Izabal, together with more frequent hate speech and attacks by state and non-state actors against defenders, including from the Association for the Defense of Private Property (ACDEPRO).

In Mexico, water scarcity and overexploitation of wells and rivers for large-scale industries are putting pressure on rural areas. 82 indigenous communities from Morelos, Puebla and Tlaxcala, members of the People’s Front in defence of Land and Water, have been criminalised and evicted by the National Guard from their sit-in in Apatlaco after peacefully protesting against the Morelos Integral Project and the overexploitation of the Cuautla river.

These countries need to end hostile rhetoric and actions that stigmatise peaceful protests, including by portraying them as destabilizing and as a threat.”

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